The women's volleyball team competed in an intrasquad competition at Huff Hall on Saturday, August 23. Several former Illini players were recognized prior to the exhibition.

High School

Three-year player for Peoria Notre Dame under head coach Jacqueline Kelly ... All-state 2013 ... All-area 2013 ... First-Team All-Mid-State Six 2012, 2013 ... Second-team all-conference 2011 ... Lincoln High School All-Tournament Team 2013 ... Played club volleyball for Illini assistant coach Hillary Haen at both Peoria Elite and Eastside ... Played one season each for BAVC and Metamora volleyball clubs ... Also played basketball for PND, earning first-team all-conference twice, along with all-state honors as a senior.

Personal

Born on May 8, 1996 in Peoria, Illinois ... Daughter of David and Julie Bielfeldt ... Has three siblings: Elle who graduated from Illinois in 2014, Max who plays basketball at Michigan, and a younger sister Lydia ... Comes from a long line of Illini, including both of her parents, and several aunts, uncles and grandparents ... Her grandfather, Gary, was a member of the Illinois football team in the 1950s ... Enjoys swimming, painting, biking and anything active ... Member of the National Honors Society, Bradley Leadership ALUMS, Student Government, Student Ambassadors and Earth Club as well as making the Honor Roll at PND.

Getting To Know Matti

Fun Fact: Has kissed four sting rays and consequently received 28 years of good luck.Favorite Movie: FrozenMovie you've seen in theatres that you've regretted seeing the most: Grown Ups 2Restaurant you have to get to when going back home: Michael's Italian FeastFavorite Midnight Snack: A bowl of Honey Bunches of Oats with Strawberries...yummmThree things on your "bucket list": See the Northern Lights, Skydive, Travel in a hot air balloonWhat are you most proud of and why? Having one of my paintings published and awarded a prize.Famous person you admire and why? Jennifer Lawrence, because she has such a great personality and I feel like we would be great friends.If you were to win $10 million, what would you buy? A penthouse apartment in Paris that overlooks the Eiffel Tower.Book you've read in the past year: DivergentFavorite Quote: "Life is not measured by the number of breaths you take, but by the moments that take your breath away."Weirdest Quirk: Laughing at my own jokes even when they aren't that funny.Favorite Athlete: Kerri WalshFavorite TV Show: How I Met Your Mother, but since it ended, Brooklyn Nine NineFavorite Musical Group: Imagine DragonsIf you could visit any place in the world, where would you choose and why? Italy, because I have been to France and I'm dying to visit Venice.Secret Talent: I can bend my left pinky finger all the way down without moving any of my other fingers.Favorite subject in high school: ArtCrazy thing you dream of doing someday:
Be in a shark tank surrounded by Great WhiteWho did you idolize growing up: My older brother and sister